Wednesday, April 8

We had a leisurely start in the morning and headed to Kocatepe Mosque to check it out and also investigate the reports of a shopping area beneath it. Aeden was a brat at the mosque, so I spent a whole split second inside (literally just long enough to sneak a peek after removing my shoes and donning a scarf over my head). But Rob and the girls were able to take a look around inside while Aeden and I explored the courtyard outside. I scored a "that was very native" comment from Rob when I dragged our group across the street through traffic I never would have thought of entering 6 months ago.



We found our way to the shopping area below, which turned out to be a very large grocery store and then many little department areas (like B&I style) for everything under the sun. We found a Nike baseball cap for Lacey that is just like the one we had gotten for Maren but with a different color scheme. They were both tickled.




After meandering and walking up a steep hill to Tunali, we stopped at Tapas for lunch and Rob and I enjoyed Yogurt Meatballs...I think my favorite Turkish dish. We did some window shopping along Tunali and then caught a cab to Anitkabir (Ataturk's Mausoleum) for a visit into the world of Ataturk. We covered the whole grounds this time, and saw Inonu's memorial across the courtyard from Ataturk's. The kids asked me who this was, and before I could even stop myself, I blurted, "the guy who did all the work." Inonu seems to be an unsung hero in Ataturk's shadow from what I've read so far. But of course their are a lot of those throughout history and always will be.








I think the highlight for the kids was running in the grass along the road out of the property and picking little flowers...it was a beautiful spring day and they were giggling and breathless on the way out.

Paul, Becky, Tim, Meggie, and Lizzie came over for Domino's Pizza Turkish style for dinner, and I accomplished my first phone order for delivery. It was cheating, since they have my phone number in their system for the address, but I did manage to get the food we were expecting. Little victories are the best.